Reasons for a Postage Scale
Postage Meter Features
Postage Meter Supplies and Materials
Mailing System Equipment
Costs and Billing Options
Tips for Buyers

Different postage meters and mailing systems differ in costs, all depending on the kind of equipment you use, how much mail is being sent, and the billing machine that you will use.

Supply and Equipment Costs

Different supplies such as envelope sealers and ink can be bought in large quantities or ordered from a mailing system supplier, or other various sources. Mailing equipment used to be paired with your meter such as scales, can be purchased or leased as well. The general rule of thumb though is that leasing is best for a company that requires specialized or pricey equipment, or machines that need to be updated frequently. Digital scales are one of the many pieces of mailing equipment that can be purchased used.

Leasing a postage meter is a cost that should be considered at all. A meter can only be leased to a business through providers that have been approved by the USPS (their website has a complete list), or through independent vendors that have these products. A postage meter lease can cost less than $30 a month. You will also need to sign a contract that specifies how long you will have the meter, what your responsibilities are in terms of payment and keeping it maintained, and any other arrangement that may be necessary. This is all just to have the meter, using the meter for postage to send mail is not included.

Postage Meter Billing Options

Postage meters are leased, not bought so you will have to pay a monthly charge to have the meter itself and then pay the additional charges for using it. Most postage meter providers have pay-as-you-go plans and pre-pay plans.

Pay-as-you-go: This option simply keeps track of your postage use during a pre-decided period of time, and you are billed when that period of time ends. Most postage meter suppliers will charge a fee for this plan, usually less than $20 a month.

Pre-pay: Your meter can be refilled (up to $1,000 often) by paying online or by mailing a check to the USPS. You can also tether the account to a checking account so that your meter will always have postage available.

Both of the options will work for businesses, regardless of their mailing requirements. A good idea would be to find out the exact costs of each plan, including the prices of leasing equipment, and then base your choice off of what you discover will work best for your particular company.

Pages:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,

=============================================================================